“It’s like I’m coming home in a way,” said 16-time Boston Marathon runner Bonnie Bence. Bonnie has been racing since she was 62 years old, and she is now turning 78 this year. Throughout the past 16 years Bonnie has completed a total of 32 marathons; and something about Boston always brings her back to Beantown. “I fell in love with the city and the people as well,” she said. Bonnie learned about the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team through her son Chris, who works as the Director of Corporate Alliances for ESPN Relationships at Special Olympic International….

Corinne Genova is a health and physical education teacher at Somerville High School, who had always dreamt of running the Boston Marathon. When she found out that she could combine her passion of running with her love for Special Olympics Massachusetts, the rest was history.     Here are three reasons why Corinne ran the Boston Marathon with the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Team: 1. The mission When registration for the 2022 Marathon opened, Corinne received offers from other organizations to run with them; but she always knew running for Special Olympics Massachusetts was what she wanted to do. “I…

For lifelong athletes, running the Boston Marathon can be seen as a “bucket list” item. But how can someone run the Marathon if they aren’t selected as a Boston Marathon qualifier? Special Olympics Massachusetts offers runners the opportunity to join its Xtra Mile Team, and run the Marathon as a member of a community dedicated to inclusion. Meet Brigid Knowles, a 21-year-old student at Boston College, who ran the 2022 Boston Marathon as part of the Special Olympics MA Xtra Mile Marathon Team. “I have been an avid runner my whole life and really enjoy doing it, so always…

Author: Quinn Roddy Next Monday, Ian Saarmann will race in the 125th Boston Marathon after raising a whopping $17,000 for the Special Olympics Massachusetts Xtra Mile Marathon Team. As the sports and fitness director for Living Independently Forever Inc. (LIFE), Ian’s relationship with Special Olympics MA has been monumental. LIFE Inc. has three separate locations and the program supports adults with autism and learning and intellectual disabilities in their pursuit of a meaningful, healthy, independent life. Ian has been the sports and fitness director there for the better part of two decades and helps LIFE members stay active and…

Author: Ali Phaneuf On October 11th Special Olympics Pennsylvania athlete Ernie Roundtree will be racing in the 125th Boston Marathon. Why? Because it’s been a lifelong dream of his. How? Because of one special game changer: retired Mansfield police Sgt. and Special Olympics Massachusetts’ Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) executive board member, Larry Crosman. When Larry attended the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Washington State, he had no idea that the experience would bring him a lifelong friend. Larry was an escort for the Flame of Hope at the USA Games when he met Ernie, and it was…

We asked our Xtra Mile Boston Marathon® runners where the coolest place they ever ran was. Many of them actually said Boston is their favorite place to run! Read some of their responses below: Boston/Massachusetts: Tim McLaughlin “This will be my 4th Boston Marathon and 8th marathon overall. I have to say…nothing…nothing…beats running the Boston Marathon. The crowd is like no other. The energy is amazing.” Nikki Grifone “I love that I am local and I am able to train on the Boston Marathon course so frequently- it is a pretty surreal feeling!” Greg Schwartz “When I was training…

When Aimee Dubois runs the Boston Marathon® on the Xtra Mile team in April, she’ll be doing more than accomplishing a personal goal. “The marathon is for me, but it’s also for my Aunt Celeste, my Papa and the 13,326 other athletes,” she said. “On days I don’t feel like going on a run, I remember that it is so much greater than me.” Growing up she would watch her Aunt Celeste compete in Special Olympics events at home on the Cape and at Summer Games in Boston. Her grandmother was a longtime volunteer until she passed away when…

Ben Wood is a native of the North Shore region of Massachusetts and still resides in that area In his free time he enjoys playing basketball, boxing or walking trails in his town for relaxation. He has friends who have run the marathon before and has attended in past years with friends and running the marathon is actually on his bucket list. He says it’s not too crazy, but it’s an accomplishment no one can take from him. Special Olympics is a family matter for Ben as his grandfather spent over 30 years of his life working with the…

Bonnie Bence grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and still lives in St. Louis with her husband.  They have four children: three sons and a daughter. Bonnie’s involvement with Special Olympics comes from her son, Chris.  Chris is the Senior Manager for the Business Department for Special Olympics Washington D.C. Bonnie first got involved with children with intellectual disabilities when she was 15 years old.  Her father was the person in her life who got her involved.  He was very involved with the St. Mary’s Special School in St. Louis.  He would get Bonnie and her brother involved and helping out…

Abbie Kaiser grew up in Portland, Oregon, and now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. At one time running was just a hobby, but now she trains more seriously and does other things in her free time. Her hobbies include watching movies, reading, cooking, or hanging out with her friends and family. Nine years ago, Abbie moved out to Boston to study at Northeastern University.  Over the years she has gotten involved with many parts of the community allowing Boston to feel more like her home.  She also feels the city has given her many opportunities. Abbie got involved with Special Olympics…